2 Replies Latest reply: Nov 5, 2011 12:24 AM by DHeadrick RSS

    Opening a new window when linking between PDF docs (link originates in a Word doc)

    DHeadrick Community Member

      Hi,

       

      I've seen this general topic discussed historically, but couldn't find any resolution.  I've got a Word doc (call it A.doc) that links to a PDF doc (call it B.pdf). Once I convert the Word doc to a PDF (creating A.pdf), I want the link in A.pdf to open B.pdf in a new window.

       

      I've seen a number of suggestions that indicate I can set up the link in Word to do this via the Edit Hyperlink > Target Frame > Set Target Frame > "New window".  While this works if I click on the link in Word, it doesn't seem to "carry over" after I convert A.doc to A.pdf.  When I click on the link in A.pdf, then B.pdf opens up in the same window as A.pdf.

       

      I know how to manually add the link in Acrobat to A.pdf to do this, but I don't want to have to manually add the link each time I create A.pdf.  I want to create the link once in A.doc, and have it carry over to A.pdf, and then have the link open B.pdf in a new window.

       

      I've seen suggestions about adding certain HTML tags somewhere.  Unfortunately, they don't apply, I'm not viewing the PDF's in a browser.

       

      I've seen suggestions regarding using the CTL key at the same time the link in A.pdf is clicked.  That would be impractical as I have no way to ensure my users will know this.

       

      I've seen suggestions about using JavaScript but that would mean (as far as I know) that I would have to add the JavaScript each time I convert A.doc to A.pdf.  Again, I don't want to have to do any post-processing of A.pdf after I create it.  I want the link in A.doc to "just work" after A.pdf is created, i.e. open up B.pdf in a new window.

       

      This *seems* like such a simple thing to do, I'm hoping that there is some simple solution.

       

      BTW, I'm using Word 2007 and Acrobat X.

       

      Thanks for your help!!

       

      Dave

        • 1. Re: Opening a new window when linking between PDF docs (link originates in a Word doc)
          steve_foxall Community Member

          I use Word 2003 and Acrobat 10, and links created as you describe default to 'new window'.

           

          Have you got the 'Open cross-document links in same window' unchecked in Edit>Preferences>Documents?

           

           

          ...sounds too easy.... (and your users will probably need to make the same change if they need this behaviour, unless you have a very techie IT department that can deploy company wide configuration files).

          • 2. Re: Opening a new window when linking between PDF docs (link originates in a Word doc)
            DHeadrick Community Member

            Hi Steve,

             

            Great idea, thanks, I wasn't aware of that check box.  When I unchecked it, I initially expected the Acrobat file Save icon (the floppy disk symbol) to be highlighted, indicating I could save the file with that preference.  When it didn't highlight (and after some Googling), I realized that such preferences are associated with my Acrobat session (or an Adobe Reader session), not saved with the document.  Then your comment about IT departments deploying configuration files made more sense.

             

            Your idea is the best idea I've seen to deal with this.  On the cover page of the particular doc I'm working on, I added an alert with a partial screenshot of the Edit > Preferences > Document dialog, with the unchecked check box circled.  This doc is a fairly "techie" doc so having this screenshot is OK -- in fact, it adds interest to an otherwise boring cover page! And it will be very hard for the user to miss the alert.

             

            Thanks again for the idea, I can remove this problem from my "bucket list" of problems that I have to solve.

             

            Dave